Illuminated sign



Oct. 12, 1937. c. E. KARST ILLUMINATED SIGN Filed Aug. 31, 1936 2 Sheets-Shet l @meg gysxrom ATTQRNEYP Oct. 12, 1937. c E. KARST ILLUMINATED SIGN Filed Aug. Q51, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY/5 Patented Oct. 12, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ILLUMINATED SIGN I Application August 31, 1936, Serial No. 98,630

4 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in illuminated display signs. More particularly, the invention relates to illuminated signs in which the display indicia presents a multi-colored effect, the appearance of which continuously changes and scintillates.

In the signs of the present invention, transparent or translucent display indicia, such as lettering or other design, are provided in a panel piece illuminated from the rearward side thereof. A multi-colored screen, comprised of a plurality of rod-like elements heterogeneously or discriminately colored, is interposed between the panel piece and the source of illumination. Upon movement of the color screen, light from the source of illumination passes through the screen and through the display panel and movement of the screen continuously modifies the color appearance of the transparent indicia onthe panel,

whereby an interesting and attractive display effeet is provided.

It is the primary objective vention to provide, first, a sign of the type described which presents an arresting and interesting appearance in order that the sign be adapted particularly to advertising purposes.

In modern advertising-technique it is the conventional. practice of the larger mechandising agencies. to distribute and display a relatively large number of advertising instrumentalities simultaneously in many different localities. The given advertising devices frequently are shipped to distant localitiesfrom a central distributing point. In this respect it is the object of the present invention to provide a structure for a display sign of the type described, which is strong, rigid, and not subject to damage when it ishandled in the relatively rough manner usually. incident to shipment.

From the advertisers point of view, moreover, it is the object of the-present invention to provide a coruscate multi-colored sign which is arresting inappearance and-which not only presents the interesting effects of soft tones of color which change, continuously in appearance, but which also, when viewed from adistance exhibits a, scintillance attractingattention without detracting from the pleasing multi-colored appearance.

In substance therefore, it is the object of the present invention to produce a sign which is efficient and effective from the. advertisers point of view, which issafe and sufiiciently strong to enable it to be shipped to meet the requirements of the modern merchandising, and. also to provide of the present in a sign which is economical to manufacture and operate, in order to satisfy the cost requirements of both the advertiser and the sign manufacturer.

Further objects and advantages will be apparent in the following specification and from the 5 drawings in which:

Figure 1 is ,a face View of the sign of the present invention, in which view the panel piece is broken to illustrate the colorscreen mechanism therebehind.

Figure 2 is a top view of the sign of the present invention, the top cover piece being removed to display the interior mechanism of the sign.

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2. v

Figure 4 is a fragmentary 'view showing the color screen in relation to the panel piece.

Figure 5 is a horizontal cross section illus trating the relationship of the panel piece, the color screen, and the source of light, by means of which the coruscate appearance of the sign is accomplished.

Figure 6 is a detail view showing the construction of the color screen elements. 7

Broadly speaking, the device of the present invention comprises a housing Ill, in which the panel piece I I carrying the design indicia hereinafter more fully described is provided, sources of light l2, the positions of which likewise hereinafter are more fully described, an articulated filter screen indicated generally at I3, and driving means for moving said screen asindicated generally at [4.

. The housing [0 is comprised preferably of a sheet metal rectangular box-like structure and includes end members I 5l 5, a base plate l6 and a hinged cover plate l1. Pedestal feet 18 are provided on base plate I2, to raise the level of the base plate for ventilating purposes.

One,.or as shown, both sides of the housing 40 It) comprises the panel pieces H which are mounted to the housing It), by means of bracket pieces [9, and 20, in the manner shown. .Panel elements 2l- 2l, one for each side, sustain the panelpieces l I I I and completethe housing enclosure. Angle elements 22-22, one at the top of eachside of the housing extend between the end elements ,l5-.- I5 to rigidify the housing structure, The bottom plate I6 is slatted as at 23, and the top panel is perforatedto permit of free access of air to the interior of the housing for ventilation and cooling of the same.

A pair of shafts 24 and 25, disposed centrally of the width of the housing l0, and spaced inwardly from the respective ends thereof are provided to carry the color screen IS. The upper and lower ends of the shafts 2425 respectively are mounted for rotation in ballbearings 26- 26 and 21-2'!. The upper bearings 26 respec tively are sustained in cross members 28 rigidly attached to and bridging the upper edges of the housing It at the angle elements 22. The lower bearings 21 are mounted at the base plate I6 and the outer races of both bearings preferably being press fitted into their respective supports. The ends of the shafts rest upon a channel shaped stiffener element 28a associated with the base plate l6. M

Both shafts, 24 and 25, carry upper and lower sprocket wheels 2929 and 30-30, which respectively are'mounted in horizontal alignment, then pinned to the shafts. The hubs of the upper sprocket wheels 29 are disposed adjacent the faces of the bracket sup-ports 22, thus presenting longitudinal displacement of the shafts, and the lower sprocket wheels, 39 are spaced from the upper sprocket at a distance sufficient to accommodate the active height of the indicia on the panel pieces H.

The shaft25 is driven through the medium of gear train M in driving connection with an electric motor3l supported on the base plate by an angular bracket 32. A worm gear 33 is fixed to the motor shaft and meshes with a worm wheel 34 fixed on stub shaft 35 which is journalled in ball bearings in a bearing bracket 35a, the latter fastened to the base plate l6 by screws 36. A pinion 3? is fastened to the upper surface of the worm wheel 33 and meshes with a gear 38 pinned on the shaft 25. The gear train is utilized to obtain the proper ratio between the speed of the motor and the screen for most effective results.

Filter screen I3 is comprised of a plurality of transparent or at least translucent rod-like elements'39 which vary in color preferably according to harmonious color groupings.

By reason of the fact that the elements 39 are slender, and inherently fragile, the problem of the mounting of the elements is an important consideration. If the elements are left to dangle from a single support band, then the elements almost invariably are damaged during transportation. On the other hand, if the mounting structure holds the rods too rigidly, then the screen is stiff and difficult to move freely, thus the motive power has to be increased and difiiculties are encountered by reason of space limitations as well as by cost. In display devices of the type to which the present invention relates the space available for advertising purposes'is the pay space, not the areas or spaces devoted to mechanism.

According to the present invention the elements 39 comprise tubes of glass or similar transparent substance. The color is imparted to the tubes by strips 40 of colored Cellophane or the like, rolled and slipped into the tube interiors in the manner shown in Figure 6. Colored Cellophane? drinking straws likewise are suitable, if

r desired.- On the other hand, the tubes may be coated preferably on their interiors by means of veyor elements. The tubes are retained in position by thin wires 43 traversing the insides of the tubes and fastened to the chains by looping the wire through the links of the chains as at 44 in the manner shown in Figure 6. After looping, the remainder of the wire is twisted about the portion projecting from the tube and the end inserted into the tube to prevent interference between the meshing of the chain and the sprockets.

If any of the tubes at any time becomes broken or damaged, new tubes may be inserted by simple manipulation of the wire supports. In the structure described, no binding of the screen against movement takes place, yet the structure is shock proof and the inner mechanism is not damaged easily.

The tubes 39 are spaced apart in parallel relation on th conveyor chains 41 and 42, preferably a distance somewhat less than the diameter of the tubes. The screen l3 thus is comprised of color elements spaced to provide slits non-obstructive to light.

I have discovered that if light be made to emanate from sources which are substantially parallel to the slits intermediate the tubes, then the appearance of the sign through the panel piece II is the combination of scintillance or flicker and ever changing multi-color. According to this discovery, the light sources of the sign comprise so called show case light bulbs of the elongated variety, which have incandescent elements extending substantially the entire length of the bulbs. When the light is on, the incandescent elements are substantially parallel with, and thus visible through the slits intermediate the tubes, which are adjacent the panel pieces, when a given slit and light filament are in alignment with the point of view. Movement of th screen, however, disrupts alignment,

a color tube moves through the line of vision and thus a coruscate effect which attracts attention is accomplished. Meanwhile, the light passing through all of the color tubes is displayed in changing variety upon the panel piece and the general appearance of the sign is that of a flickering band of colors Waving and undulating across and comprisin the display indicia.

The light elements l2, of which there may be any desired number consistent with space limitations, preferably are mounted on brackets 45 and 46, the one set hung from bracket plate 25, the other mounted on the base plate l6. It is recommended that the brackets be fashioned so that the bulbs will illuminate the panel face substantially uniformly. Thus, in the structure disclosed, the bulbs are mounted in a slightly staggered relation.

The motor and lamps are connected together in the electric circuit and are controlled preferably from a single switch. When current is supplied the motor drives the articulated screen and the lamps are illuminated. The lamps are inside the confines of the screen, therefore, the light projects outwardly through the screen'on both sides to both lens plates II where that portion which strikes the pathway adjacent the line of the script is permitted to pass through, the remainder being stopped by opaque coating covering the non-design and non-lettering portions of the glass.

The panel pieces ll of the present invention comprise plates of glass upon which the design or lettering indicia is embossed or moulded to lens curvature in cross section. The non-design areas are rendered non-transparent by a coating of opaque paint or enamel or other suitable shield ing. It may be mentioned also, that the script or round slanting form of lettering preferably is to be selected in the preparation of the advertising matter. Each letter thus is raised from the panel surface to curvilinear transverse cross section, whereby lens function is imparted as illustrated in Figure at 41. By reason of the short focal length lens formation, the efiect of chromatic aberration of the lenses is pronounced and the slanting round form of lettering likewise contributes to provide the eifect of bands of color which spiral across the letter and design areas.

The panel pieces II are cast of glass with the letters raised and integral. The lens effect is provided by making the letters approximately half round in transverse cross section and the opaque coating in the non-design areas is stopped off as sharply as possible at the boundaries.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. In a device of the class described, the combination of a housing having a transparent panel comprising display matter embossed thereon to lens configuration in cross section, and rendered opaque in non-display areas, a source of light in said housing, an articulated filter comprised of transparent color tubeelements, interposed between said source of light and said panel, and means for moving said filter comprising movable parallel belts having threading elements extending therebetween, over which said transparent tube elements are disposed,

2. In a device of the type described, sources of light having elongatedincandescent elements, an articulated filter screen, comprising a plurality of multi-colored tube elements, spaced from one another and mounted so that the spacings between the tubes are substantially parallel to said incandescent elements, means for moving said screen whereby a coruscate light efiect is exhibited by light passing from said source through said screen during movement thereof, and a casing enclosing said screen and said light source and including a display panel having transparent design indicia embossed thereon to lens configuration in cross section andrendered opaque in non-design areas.

3. In a luminous sign of the class described, an articulated filter screen adapted to impart a coruscate light efiect upon a display panel in front of said screen from a source of light therebehind, the said screen being comprised of endless belts in spaced parallel relation, means for moving said endless belts in continuous synchronized relationship, threading elements engaging said endless belts and extending therebetween in parallel relations, and transparent color tube elements threaded over said threading elements in relation spaced to leave, light slits intermediate 1e tube elements.

4. In a device of the class described, the combination of elongated incandescent sources of light, a housing therefor having a display panel transparent to light only in design areas embossed thereon to lens configuration in cross section, an articulated filter screen disposed intermediate said panel and said light sources and comprised of endless belts, pulleys over which said endless belts are guided, means for driving at least one of said pulleys, threading elements engaging said belts and extending therebetween, and transparent tube elements of varying color threaded over said threading elements in relation spaced to leave light slits intermediate said tubes substantially parallel with said elongated incandescent elements whereby a coruscate light efiect is provided during movement of said screen.

CLARENCE E. KARST. 

